Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society

NEWSLETTER Volume 63 Issue 12 December 2013 DECEMBER: HOLIDAY PARTY

We don’t have a regular meeting in December but join us for: FORT LAUDERDALE ORCHID SOCIETY HOLIDAY PARTY Inside this issue: Where: The Tower Club NOVEMBER SPEAKER 2

28th Floor, Regions Bank Building ORCHID HYBRID 2 TRIVIA One Financial Plaza FAKAHATCHEE TRIP 3 100 SE 3rd. Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 SEE ON FA- 3-4 KAHATCHEE TRIP

When: December 8, 2013 MEMBERS PAGE 5

6:00—10:00 PM NOVEMBER RIBBONS 5

2014 SHOW & SALE 5 How much: Members $45 - Guests $55 OPPORTUNITIES TO 5 GET INVOLVED There will be a raffle and gifts!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! December 8: Holiday Party at the Tower Club January 13: Sheldon Takaski from Carmela Orchids January 17-19: FLOS Show & Sale February 10: Broward Orchid Supplies—Re-potting & Mounting March 10: Guillermo Salazar—Miniatures for South April 14: Mac Rivenbark—

Blc. Cherry Suisse ‘Kauai; HCC/AOS –Kthy Homann— photo by Bob Stroozas Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society November Speaker: Tom Kuligowski Also Tom gave us his good blog about An- Our November speaker brought us out of the shadows graecums and What's Light got to do with it? and into the light. Tom Kuligowski explained that light has everything to do with how well our orchids will grow. Basically, orchid light falls into three categories: vandaceous, , and phalaenopsis light. Tom has found that light meters are able to give exact measure- ments, however the devices only last for 8-10 months. Most digital cameras have light meters as well. A low- tech tool for measuring light is simply using a sheet of white paper and the sun. Hold your hand a short distance from the paper and exam the edges around the shadow. A hard line and a clear dark shadow, is Vandaceous lighting or lighting greater than 5000-foot candles. Cattleya light fades the shadow and no clear line along the shadow edge exists, Cattleya light is 2000 foot candles or brighter. Little or no shadow appears on the white pa- per in Phalaenopsis light, 475-foot candles.

How can we control the variable of light? Shade cloth is an excellent tool for controlling light in our grow houses. Tom recommends using aluminet shade cloth. The high-tech cloth reflects light during the summer keeping plants cooler and absorbs light during winter keeping plants warmer. Con- sider 70% and up to 50% layered over 50% as appropriate cover for Phalaenopsis, Liparis, Bulbophyllums, Angrecums and Aerangis. Some Catt- leya, and can tolerate 30% shade cloth and most tolerate the mid range weave density. and Dendrobiums prefer 5000 up to 8000 -foot candles, so a low weave count of 30% is recommended. As we near the winter solstice, take a moment to: read the shadows amongst your or- chid collections, and informally or formally measure the light intensity. Ob- photo by Steve Herman serve the sunlight throughout the year and change lighting to meet our or- chids needs. Planning for how the light changes in your collect during the year can mean the difference between raising robust orchids and orchids that just barely get by. Light means everything. (By Gigi Granger)

Orchid Hybrid Trivia From AOS.org. The total number of grex names in the register is currently 154,660 (as of now). This figure increases daily. Each year The International Orchid Register adds between 3000 -4000 new hybrids. The most popular genera for hybrids are: Photo by Bob Stroozas Phalaenopsis — 31,382 Paphiopedilum — 23,871 Cymbidium — 14,688 — 11,910 So far there are about 2349 hybrid generic names, but not all of these are in use. There are about 5,600 involved in hybridization. Page 2 Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society Fakahatchee Strand Walk

On November 9th, 2013, a busload of curious swampers departed Ft. Lauderdale for a day trip to the cool flowing waters of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, in search of the native orchid species that populate the area. It was an experience to simply navigate the seven mile bus ride on the narrow road leading to the starting point of the trek, and not unlike hitting turbulence on a plane. There were a few mud holes on that old railroad bed that were hungry for our bus, and it seemed we narrowly escaped the jaws of calamity several times. But once safe and sound at our staging area, the only anxiety was getting back out the same way we entered. Those fears were quickly al- layed by the excitement of dipping our feet into the Fakahatchee itself, and the hopes of finding elusive orchids that we only read about, or see pictures of. We were not disappointed, for immediately upon entering the fringes of the swamp, we struck gold in the form of many varieties of native species, some in bloom, some not, and some with seed pods, ready to spread the wealth throughout the Strand. At this point, we were mildly concerned about some other types of jaws, which never really materialized ….. well, almost ….. save for one swamper, who decided to test a sunning ‘log’ on the path back to the bus to see if it was asleep or not. Thanks to a walking stick and a hiss, an immediate detour was taken ….. incident averted ….. stride unbroken ….. pants already wet from the swamp. Time to have some lunch then run the seven mile gauntlet back to the mainland, which we did without issues. Once on pavement again, we felt that we needed to reward ourselves with an excursion to the Stone Crab capital of Collier County, none other than Everglades City. We found our crabs, reloaded, and headed home satisfied that a good time was had by all. I would like to thank all who attended, as well as Mike and Donna Owen, the newlywed Park Biolo- gists at the Fakahatchee Strand, as well as Volunteers P.J Marinelli and Karen, who helped lead our tour into and out of the swamp itself. Also gracious thanks to our own Chuck McCartney for helping with the tour and compiling the list of orchids we encountered along the way. Looking forward to doing it again! Sincerely, Capt. Allen Cogar

Orchids (And Other Tropical Plants) Observed October 26, 2013 Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

List Compiled by Chuck McCartney, Mike Owen, Richard Fagan (With Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society)

Orchids 1. Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum Common names: Ribbon Orchid; Little Bent-Spur Orchid Status: Some with seed capsules. Notes: The rarest of Florida’s 3 leafless orchid species. South Slough group led by Mike Owen observed all 3 species. 2. Dendrophylax lindenii Synonyms: Polyrrhiza lindenii; Polyradicion lindenii Common names: Ghost Orchid; Palm Polly Notes: The most famous of Florida’s 3 leafless orchid species, which are relatives of the African angraecoids. 3. Dendrophylax porrectus Synonyms: Harrisella porrecta; Harrisella filiformis (misapplied) Common names: Jingle Bell Orchid; Threadroot Orchid Status: Some with . Notes: The smallest of Florida’s 3 leafless orchid species. The flowers are also the smallest of the common species in subtropical Florida. 4. tampensis Synonym: tampense Common names: Onion Orchid; Florida Butterfly Orchid Notes: The most common epiphytic (tree-growing) orchid in subtropical Florida. 5. Synonym: Epidendrum amphistomum Common names: Roller Coaster Orchid; Dingy-Flowered Orchid Status: South Slough group saw one early-blooming with 3 flowers. Other plants were in spike. 6. Common name: Night-Scented Epidendrum Status: Some plants with seed capsules. West Slough group led by P.J. Marinelli saw one plant with a maturing bud. Photo by Sabra Cogar Notes: One of the 2 most common Epidendrum species of South Florida and the one with the largest flowers. The majority of plants in Florida produce Page 3 cleistogamous (closed) flowers that pollinate themselves within the bud and go directly to seed without the flowers opening. Volume 63 Issue 12

7. Common name: Rigid Epidendrum Status: South Slough group only saw plants with seed capsules. West Slough group observed at least one plant with open flowers. Notes: An orchid only an orchid grower could love. It is a small plant with small, uninteresting green flowers. It is one of the 2 most common Epidendrum species in South Florida, sometimes forming large colonies on tree branches. 8. Eulophia alta Common name: Wild Coco Status: One robust plant seen in flower along Janes Scenic Drive, producing a typically tall filled with handsome 1.5-inch-tall flowers. Sterile (non-flowering) plants seen elsewhere. 9. Eulophia graminea Status: Small colony seen in flower growing on a floating log by Richard Fagan, Christopher Ohanian and Mike Owen at the end of the day, after the Fort Lauderdale group had left. The site was across the tram ditch beside Janes Scenic Drive. Notes: This is a small-flowered, large-bulbed species from Southeastern Asia that has shown up only recently in Florida and is spreading rapidly. It is considered an invasive exotic, and the plants seen were removed. This species is more often a plant of roadsides and disturbed areas (including Photos by Sabra Cogar mulched landscaping beds), and Mike Owen says this discovery is the first time he has encountered the species in the kind of swamp habitat where it was found. 10. Habenaria floribunda Synonym: Habenaria odontopetala Common name: Tooth- Rein Orchid Status: South Slough group saw one robust plant in full bloom growing on a floating log. Smaller sterile (non-flowering) plants also were seen. Notes: This is the most common Habenaria species in the southern half of Florida. 11. Ionopsis utricularioides Common names: Violet Orchid; Delicate Ionopsis Status: South Slough group came upon a colony of these twig epiphytes. One particularly large plant that had fallen out of a tree bore an emerging flower stalk. The plant was secured to a new support to keep it out of the water of the swamp. 12. Liparis nervosa Synonym: Liparis elata Common names: Elephant-Ear Orchid; Tall Twayblade Status: West Slough group saw this orchid with seed capsules. 13. Oeceoclades maculata Synonym: Eulophidium maculatum Common names: African Spotted- Orchid; Monk Orchid Status: Plants, many with seed capsules, seen along the tramways. Notes: This African-centered terrestrial orchid was first seen in Florida in the 1970s. Since that time, it has spread rapidly through the southern end of the peninsula. 14. Polystachya concreta Synonyms: Polystachya luteola; Polystachya flavescens Common name: Yellow Spikes Status: South Slough group found one colony. No plants were in flower. 15. Common name: Shadow Witch Status: Mike Owen showed some of the group a large colony growing along the edge of Janes Scenic Drive. At least some members of the West Slough group saw plants. 16. cochleata Synonyms: Epidendrum cochleatum; Encyclia cochleata; Anacheilium cochleatum Common names: Clamshell Orchid; Cockleshell Orchid Status: A number of plants seen in flower. Notes: Florida’s plants of this widespread New World orchid are a triandrous mutation, which allows them to be self-pollinating. In the past, these plants have been called var. triandra, referring to this mutation, which produces 2 extra pollen-bearing anthers that allow the flower’s pollen to reach its own stigmatic surface, thus circumventing the rostellum, a little flap of tissue that prevents flowers of typical forms from pollinating themselves. Bromeliad 1. Guzmania monostachia 6. setacea 2. Tillandsia balbisiana 7. Tillandsia usneoides 3. Tillandsia fasciculata 8. Tillandsia utriculata 4. Tillandsia pruinosa (rare) 9. Tillandsia variabilis 5. Tillandsia recurvata

Epiphytic Ferns 1. Campyloneurum phyllitidis 3. Pleopeltis polypodioides Broad-Leaf Strap Fern Resurrection Fern 2. Phlebodium aureum Golden Serpent Fern Other Interesting Species 1. Peperomia obtusifolia 3. Dead Man’s Finge 2. Freshwater sponges

Page 4 Volume 63 Issue 12 FLOS MEMBER’S PAGE Membership Update: As 2014 approached, please do BLUE Ribbon Winners for November not forget to pay your membership dues. For your con- ORCHID OWNER venience, a renewal envelope has been included with Ascda Motes ‘Burnign Sands’ Zoe Bejar your newsletter. Dues can also be paid online at http:// B. nodosa Bob Stroozas www.,flos.org BC Makai Zoe Bejar. Museum Update: Volunteers Needed for December BLC Waianae Leopard x BL Richard Mueller Rick Bellas 14th & 15th: FLOS will be hosting another classroom BLC Cherry Suisse Kauai Heciaos Kathy Homann at The Museum of Discovery and Science next month. BLLRA Wine Spots ‘New Star’ Francis Buckley

We can use some help with set up Saturday at 11 AM. C. wackeriana tipo Tony Millet B. digbyana Kathy Homann The shifts are from 12-2 and 2-4 on both Saturday and Sunday. Tear down starts at 4 on Sunday. I am in need Enc. boothiani Tom Kuligowski Onc. Josephine Zoe Bejar of help for all shifts and any blooming plants to be used Sophrenitis cernua Tony Millet for the display. Call Gigi Granger or Chris Crepage for V. lamellate var. boxalii Rose am/aos x V. lamellota Margaret Ann Helen Rivenbark more information and to sigh up to help with this im- portant event!!! 2014 SHOW AND SALE

JEWEL CASE EXHIBITS: We have two Jewel Case Exhibit spots Photos Steveby Photos Herman left for the 2014 FLOS SHOW! Each case is 2’ wide x 2’ deep x 4’ high. Members interested should contact John Wrench as soon as possible at 954-812-2231

TWO GRAND CHAMPIONS FOR BEST IN SHOW: New to our FLOS Show this coming January we will be awarding two Grand

Champions for best Orchids in the show. One for Best Hobbyist's orchid and one for best Commercial Grower's orchid. Each will be singled out by the official American Orchid Society judges and awarded a Grand Prize Rosette Ribbon and a check for $250.00! Entries must be made on Wednesday January 15th, at the War Memorial Auditorium from 3 pm to 8 pm. So get your orchids ready to win that grand prize and good luck! If you don't enter you can't win! OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED 2014 Show Volunteers needed! To ensure our 2014 We need Volunteers for the show! Annual Show and Sale is a success we all need to be involved (besides, its fun!) Society Members are what makes this one of the best shows in the country and we want to maintain that We can't put on the greatest orchid show in south status!!! It is easy to get involved: You can either sign up online at Florida without our wonderful volunteers. There are http://www.flos.org/wp/signup several categories to choose from. Talk to John or or call John Wrench at 954-812-2231 go on line for more information and to sign up!

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Thank you kitchen volunteers Kathy Homann, Deb Johnson & Fran Renguso. Our September refreshments were provided by:

Chris Crepage, Lisa Davis, Carrie Ackerman, Tony Millet, John Wrench, Deb Johnson, Kathy Homann,

Vicki Trank, Betty Runde, Zoe Bejar & Joan Connors

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7637 - 532 - 954 - Newsletter:

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Boyle Brian Treasurer:

Kaizad Saira Sec.: Corresponding

Salus Ginny Sec.: Recording

Granger Gigi President: Vice 2nd

Connors Joan President: Vice 1st

Schaberl Michael President:

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